There's Science in My Fiction... And Poetry

I'm running this event tomorrow night at the British Science Festival in Birmingham - come along if you're in the area! It's free... no need to book.

There's Science in My Fiction... And Poetry

 7-10pm, Wed 15th Sept, The Old Joint Stock Function Room

"What if..?" ask both scientists and fiction writers. What if a gene mutates? What if she never married him? Science is fabulous inspiration for fiction - come read out your science-inspired stories and poems to win great prizes, including a Focus magazine subscription and champagne. Science-inspired authors Tania Hershman, Sue Guiney and Brian Clegg will judge. Put some science in your fiction!

More details here.

Tania's Tales from the Lab: Lab Meditation

(I wrote this sitting in the lab recently.)

Lab Meditation

Look at a bottle.
Stare at some pipettes.
A tap.
The smooth cool bench.
No other signs of life.

Listen to the radio.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Watch a rocker.
Rock in time.

Examine a glove.
Sink into its purple.
Gaze at a clear liquid.
Listen to the hum of
the mammoth freezer.

Sit in the dark microscope cave.
Look at lit-up hair cells.
Listen to the turning of the
microscope magnification knob.
Touch the grey benchtop with
the back of your hand.

Squint as the sun floods in.